Health officials on Monday issued a warning to residents in Discovery Bay to stay out of the water due to the rising levels of algae blooms. Cheryl Hurd reports. (Published Monday, July 25, 2016)

Health officials on Monday issued a warning to residents in Discovery Bay to stay out of the water due to the rising levels of algae blooms.

According to the Central County Water Board and Contra Costa County Health Services, swimming in the algae infested waters should be off limits because recent tests prove the algae is in that area, and it has the potential to produce harmful and sometimes deadly toxins.

"These toxins can produce gastrointestinal problems, skin problems and also neurological problems," said Dr. Marilyn Underwood, director of environmental health. "That’s why we don’t want folks to go into the water right now."

Some residents said the algae in the water is a way of life. Glen Capelli said it's there all the time.

Others are heeding the warning. They say it smells bad and looks awful, and it can be seen in still waters when the sun sets.

"It concerns me because I’ve got 500 members that would like to know that," said Erlyn Lucas-Payne of Disovery Bay Commodore. "We all have dogs, we all go swimming, we all take our boats out every weekend."